OH, THE HUMANITIES...:

Two years ago, Airbus unveiled several possible aircraft concepts - known collectively as "ZEROe" - which are helping to define the world's first zero-emission commercial airliner which could enter service by 2035. While these concepts explore various size categories, aerodynamic layouts and propulsion system architectures, they all have one thing in common: they are hydrogen-fuelled. Three of them have engines which use hydrogen combustion to drive their gas turbines - similar to the way that turbofans and turboprops burn kerosene today, but without the latter's CO2 and particulate emissions.

Meanwhile, a fourth ZEROe concept aircraft, representing a high-wing 100-seat regional airliner, features six eight-bladed propellers attached to engine pods - a configuration recently patented by Airbus. While outwardly resembling turboprop powerplants, these pods actually contain hydrogen fuel cells which produce electricity as the result of an electro-chemical reaction to power electric motors. It is in this context that Airbus has been conducting feasibility studies and laboratory tests to realise a fully working megawatt-class fuel-cell engine and demonstrator which could be tested in flight by the middle of this decade - around 2026.

First announced publicly on 30th November this year at the Airbus Summit, the demonstrator will use Airbus' multi-modal flight test platform - the iconic A380 MSN001. The aircraft will be modified externally to carry the fuel-cell engine pod, while inside the aircraft's rear fuselage Airbus will install a unique cryogenic tank to contain the liquefied hydrogen.

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